Xu Shichu thought about it for a while and did not continue to explore. After all, this was not the capital city. Although she was not afraid of trouble when she was out, it was best to avoid trouble if possible.
However, although she did not investigate, the injured person appeared on his own.
At that time, Du Zhao and others who were riding in a carriage had already arrived at the post station. The servants were using the kitchen of the post station to make a fire and cook. In the hall of the post station, Xu Shichu listened to little Zhao Zhao excitedly dancing as she talked about what she had seen and heard on the road.
Three young men walked out of the west room. The first one was tall, handsome but pale. The other two men looked like his subordinates because they were very respectful to him.
Xu Shichu immediately discovered that the injured person was the leader. Coincidentally, Xu Shichu knew this man.
He was the original husband that Luo Changqing carefully selected for his daughter in the original owner's previous life—Zhong Xuran, the inspector of the prisons in Beijing, who was specifically in charge of and examined criminal cases in the capital and had a bright future.
Unfortunately, without Xu Shichu's interference in this life, Luo Yaqing fell in love with the superficial Zhou Wencun, and Zhong Xuran did not become Luo Changqing's son-in-law.
Most of the officials handling cases have relatively upright personalities. After seeing many cases and various criminals, their temperaments will gradually become cold and stern. Zhong Xuran is just like that. He is tall and strong, with an angular face. In addition, he has a serious and upright personality and is not good at speaking. Therefore, it is easy for people to feel threatened. He is the legendary man who can scare children to tears.
Such a man, regardless of his temperament or appearance, did not meet Luo Yaqing's aesthetic standards. Therefore, in the original owner's life, Luo Yaqing was ungrateful for what she had. She made a fuss at home all day long. She disliked Zhong Xuran for not being able to say sweet words, having no interest in life, not being able to coax her, and being extremely old-fashioned and boring. She did not like her husband at all.
However, Zhong Xuran is a good man who is dedicated and responsible. Even though his wife has someone else in her heart, he is still devoted to her. Even when he later holds a high position, there is only one woman, Luo Yaqing, by his side, and he does not take a concubine.
Countless women in the capital envied and envied Luo Yaqing's luck, but Luo Yaqing was still thinking about Zhou Wencun, whom she could not get, and did not give her husband any face. Even after becoming a married woman, she was still entangled with Zhou Wencun, making Zhong Xuran a laughing stock in the capital.
Strictly speaking, it was definitely bad luck for Zhong Xuran to marry Luo Yaqing in his previous life.
Fortunately, Xu Shichu ignored Luo Yaqing in this life, allowing Zhong Xuran to escape.
Zhong Xuran is now married and had his eldest son last year. His wife is a lady from a prominent family who is devoted to him. She has a gentle and kind personality. She is the typical kind of virtuous wife who is very obedient and devoted to taking care of her husband and children.
Xu Shichu paid more attention to him, so he had a better understanding of his situation.
"Mrs. Luo? Why are you here? Is the Prime Minister here too?" Zhong Xuran had seen Xu Shichu before, so when he recognized her, he asked in surprise and looked around, obviously looking for Luo Changqing to see if he was here.
Xu Shichu smiled and said, "I brought my nephew out for fun. My master was not with us."
Officials in the capital cannot leave the capital without an imperial edict, let alone the prime minister who is the head of all officials. Zhong Xuran only remembered this after he finished speaking, and a rare look of embarrassment appeared on his cold face.
"Sir, was Lord Zhong ordered to go out of the capital to handle a case?" Xu Shichu asked, looking at him with some sympathy. He had just returned from handling a case outside the capital at the beginning of spring. It was conceivable that he had gone on a business trip in the severe cold not long after the Chinese New Year, not to mention that he was injured.
Zhong Xuran nodded, and then said, "Because the case needs to be kept confidential, I can't tell my wife. Sorry."
"It's okay, I understand." Xu Shichu understood, but the smell of blood on Zhong Xuran's body was really strong.
After thinking for a while, she added, "If there is anything you need my help with, please just ask, Master Zhong."
After all, the original owner indirectly caused him to marry a wife who brought unrest to his family in his previous life, so Xu Shichu was particularly friendly to him.
Zhong Xuran shook his head and said, "I have already finished my work. I just need to go back to Beijing to close the case. There is nothing I need your help with. Thank you for your kindness. I will not disturb you."
After saying this, he bowed to Xu Shichu and was about to leave.
However, one of his men following behind him looked at Xu Shichu, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself, with a conflicted look on his face.
Seeing this, Xu Shichu asked him, "What's wrong?"
"Madam, my master has been seriously injured. The medicine has run out, but it will take at least two days of riding to get back to the capital. I am worried that your body cannot bear it and it will harm your life span!" The subordinate spoke anxiously, ignoring his companions' attempts to stop him.
Xu Shichu originally wanted to help Zhong Xuran, but he gave up because he refused just now. But now that his subordinates have spoken out about their difficulties, there is no reason for Xu Shichu to stand idly by.
So she said: "Go and get the best medicine we brought, and also some medicine to prevent wound infection, cold and fever, and bring them to Lord Zhong."
Zhong Xuran wanted to refuse, but Zhichun had already taken the order to get the medicine, so he had to thank Xu Shichu instead: "Then I will be disrespectful to refuse. Thank you for the medicine, Madam. If you need any help from me in the future, please feel free to ask."
"Don't be so polite. My medicines are not that precious. Lord Zhong was injured because he was loyal to his duties and handled the case impartially. Even others will do their best to help Lord Zhong." Xu Shichu waved his hand and said.
For a person with a rigid personality, a lazy and unruly person like Xu Shichu always feels uncomfortable in front of him. Maybe it's because their personalities are incompatible.
Therefore, after Zhichun gave the medicine to Zhong Xuran, Xu Shichu no longer wanted to keep them.
Zhong Xuran returned to his room, and then he sternly taught the self-willed subordinate a lesson: "Don't disclose my physical condition casually in the future. This is also part of the confidentiality of the case. If any missed criminals know that I am injured, they will definitely stop us, destroy the evidence, or even silence us!
"Don't think you can rest easy just because the case is over. As long as we don't return to the capital and the case is not closed, we must remain cautious, otherwise we will pay the price with our lives! Do you remember this?"
The subordinate who sought help from Xu Shichu lowered his head and whispered, "I remember."
But he still argued unconvincedly: "I asked Madam Luo for help because I saw that she was the prime minister's wife and was trustworthy. Could she really harm us?"
"It is precisely because it was Madam Luo this time that I did not punish you. Otherwise, if you asked others for help, I would demote you as soon as I returned to Beijing to atone for your sins!" Zhong Xuran taught.